Turn indicator



Sept- 23, 1952 y M. T. I YBRooK ETAL 2,611,842

TURN INDICATOR Filed Jan. 9, 1950 2 SHEETS--S-EET 1 2 *T66 f5 /6 57 62 596/7157. i5/7 MKM @5 Sept 23, 1952 M. T. LYBRooK Erm. 2,611,842

TURN INDICATOR 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 -vii File'd Jan. 9, 1950 Patented Sept. 23, h1952 TURN INDICATOR Malcolm T; Lybrook and Harold H Claytom. Logansport, Ind., assignors` to Essex Wire-Corporatiom Logansport, Ind.,y a corporation of,

Michigan ApplicationJanuary 9, 1950, SeriaINo..137,599V4 Our.v inventonist primarily concerned Withza turn indicator attachment. adaptedfformounting on the steering columnof anaurtomobile'f or like motor vehicle.

More. particularly, our invention isdir'ectedv vto a new. and improved indicator. apparatus capable of lindicatingthe .turning movementsof :an auto mobile or. the like andy automaticallyy returnable to a neutral non-indicatingposition in response. to the turning movements-.of the automobiles steering wheel.

l Briefly, we h'ave-devisedzaf-new and simplifiedv mechanical turn indcat'or'capable: or ready@ installation or` removalI and of theV typeA adapted to initiate a. conventional .turn .indicator switchandassociated flashing light.v circuits tof'indica-te the: turning movements ofnan automobile or theiike'.

One of the main objects-vof our invention isrto provide a mechanical turn indicator capable of manual'- initiation to indicate right, left,- and non-turning movements ofan automobile orv like vehicle.

Another important objectW of our invention is to providevnovel mechanicalfsignal cancelling meansawhereby our turn indicator Wilrbe automatically deactivated-1in'responseto-a return of the vehiclessteering wheel to a neutral ornonturning position.

Another object of our`v invention is to provide means wherebythe turning' indicator-'may f be manually maintain-edi in a turnM indicating position .irrespective `of the automaticy signal cancel-- ling impulse initiated bythe return'of the steering wheellto aneutrallposition without-causingdamage to: ourindicato'r apparatus.

A still further'objectof our invention is; to provide resilient' mechanical. means whereby our indicator: may be mechanically initiated to indicate a turning. signal contraryl tov the tin'ningv movement of the vehicles steering w-heelfwithout' damaging theA indicatorapparatus.

Another object of our invention.' is to `provide means for automatically cancelling a` manually initiated turning signal iftthat'. signal isL contrary to the turning; movement' of the. vehicle.

These and further objects-will appear from time to: time' as` they following specification and. description;proceeds.

Now in. order; to acquaint: those .familiar with this art with thenmethod of. constructing and utilizing our invention, referencerismade. tothe' accompanying drawings;v inwhich:

Figure.V` 1; is: ai side elevational. partial cross sectional. view of.` ar turn indicator.V` mechanism made in. accordance`vwith-pthe; dictates.5 of. our invention; Y

. 2 l f Figure 2 is a4 front elevationalpartial `cross sectional View of the turn indicator'taken-substanti'ally along line 22- ovf'Egure. l;y f Figure 3is a top plan cross sectionalviewfof.

our turn indicator showing it in operative.v posi-y tion to indicate left turn, with the top of thehousing removed and mounted to thesteerng columnof an automotive vehicle; l

Figure 4 is a crossi-sectionalxplan.view similar to Figurey 3 showing thenoperationw of' thef.c'an;- celling feature of our'invention upon*returnio'fv thev vehicles steering wheel'y to a neutralsposi tion;,and Y" Figure 5 is a top plan'cross sectional', View similar: to Figures =3 f and 4f, showing our; in-q dicator in a neutral '.ornon-turn indicatingposifv tion.

Referring now to Figures 1.andz2 of; thefdrawf' ings, the turn indicator indi-cated'generally atv IIIv therein, comprises ari-outer protectivehous-.- ing I I, a mounting ring.I12',: anfinner framememfber I3 for supporting` av signalswitch. I4.;A and. vari-ous actuating linkages including a vvslidefcam' plate I5, abridge plateIGl. a=cance11nger plate II with a cancel nger I8- mounted thereon@ a cam roller arm I9 mounting a cam roll 2IJ`,..a return spring. 2l interconnecting the `cancels1inger pla-te with areturn spring plate: 22.'. op eratinglever 23 initiates the above. linkages.man-z uallyand the entirel indicator is mounted-to a steering column 24. of an. automotive vehiclel by the mounting ringI I2'.` The. steering colurnnnifs mounted in a conventional. manner below asulitable steering Wheel, not shown, havingproiect'- ingcams 25: dependingtherefromwfor deactivat ing. the turn. indicator in. response.` to the rota-f tional, movements of.. the. steering. Wheel as will presently appear. For clarity ofiunderstanding' our invention we: shall describe each of thefabove elements as they' appear intheV above lstedf-se quentin orden. neng with their function. and association .withI one another.- l l The; housing II' asrv seen in Figuresfl andz2, is characterized by a: hollowed out 'interiori tofforin4 nono-shape casting. The cross sectional View Figurev 2 reveals a pair of depending 'shoulder portions-'1 30. formed. along thetop Wall of" the hol-1 lowed out interior of the housing; A-- semi'-` cylindrical external rsteeringcolumn receiving projection. 32 extends fromv a forward -Wall'v3-3f of the housing. and is positioned at the loweredgev thereof, being' characterizedbyv a concave sur facev adapted to? receive. a part of theY cylindrical surface of. thev steeringqcolumny 241 or the vehicl'e A back wall 34- ofv theihousing 'is'providedz suitable. slotted opening 35` along itsl lower lateral;

edge adapted to receive the operating lever 23 therethrough for arcuate shifting movement.

The mounting ring I2 is received by suitable slotted openings in the external column receiving projection 32 of the housing, not shown, and is adapted to surround the steering column of the vehicle for' clamping action thereabout, being held thereto by means of a suitable tie-bolt 3B inserted laterally across the lower interior of the housing II, adjacent the forward wall 33 of the housing, as is shown clearly in Figure 1.

The inner frame I3 comprises a single metal casting conforming with the interior contour of the housing I I whereby the inner frame may be conveniently mounted within the hollowed out interior of the housing. Means for holding the inner frame securely to the housing comprises a j pair of holding screws 33Jinsertable through the forward wall 33 of thehousing, adjacent and above the mounting position of the mounting 'ring I2,asseen in Figures 1 and 5. The inner frame, like the housing, is preferably characterized by a hollowed out interior, leaving relatively thin cross sectioned side walls 40 and rear and front end walls y4I and 42 respectively. The side walls 40 are further distinguished bythe channelled recess 43 running longitudinally along their upper edge for receiving the sliding cam plate I thereon for lateral sliding movement, as will appear presentlyherein. Holding studs 44 are insertable through the upper slide channels 43 to be received in suitable openings provided in the depending shoulders 30 of the'housing II for further securing theinner frame to the housing. The rear end wa1l4I adapted to be positioned adjacent the back wall 34 of the housing, opposite the mounting yring and steering column is distinguished by a vertical bearing column 45 comprising a cylindrical re-entrant exterior face integrally cast with the inner frame, and adapted to receive suitable mounting means for the Aoperating lever 23 as will appear presently herein; the bearing column being preferably hollowed out to form a vertical cylinder as is seen clearly in Figure 1 of the drawings.

y Suitable vertical openings are provided near the bottom of the rear end wall 4| of the inner frame adjacent the bearing column on the opposite side of the rear end Wall thereof for the reception of a pair of mounting screws 46 adapted to secure the signal switch I4 to the inner frame. The signal switch, as herein displayed, is similar to a directional signal switch disclosed in the earlier application of Harold H. Clayton, entitled Switch, Serial No. 652,674, filed on March '7, 1946, and is distinguished by suitable terminal connectors 41 depending in circuit lead connecting positions laterally across the hollowed out interior of the inner frame and over the open bottom'thereof. The mounting screws 46 are suitably inserted through mounting ears 48 extending from a bottom plate 49 of the signal switch, for conveniently fastening the switch in a position whereby its protruding vertically disposed switch post 50 is in suitable receiving position for actuation by the cam arm I9, and below the sliding-cam plate I5.

The signal switch is adaptable for energizing right turn, left turn and neutral signal circuits in a manner similar to thatdisclosed in lthe Harold H. Clayton application Serial No. 652,674 of reference, and therefore will not be discussed further h erein. v-l-Iowever, -it may be pertinent to state that the signal switch is operable according to the positional movements' of the laterally movable swtch post 50 for` actuating the' desired turn sig;

4 nal circuit connected to dashing lights disposed normally at both the front and the rear of an automotive vehicle.

The slide cam plate I5 is substantially rectangular in shape and is adapted for sliding movement along the two channelledslide recesses 43 disposed along the upper edgesof the side walls of the inner frame as previously described. The slide cam plate has a clover leaf shaped cam aperture 52 formed therein near one end, which is shown herein located adjacent and above the front end wall 42 of the inner frame. 'I'he camming aperture is adapted for reception therein of the cam roller 20 integrally associated with the cam roller arm I3, the actuation of which arm to move the cam roller in various positions along the cam aperture of the cam plate, determines the right, left or neutral actuation of the turn indicator, as will appear presently herein under the use and operational description. The inner end of the cam plate, or that end adjacent the bear.- ing column is distinguished by a pair of bifurcated arms 53 disposed in spaced relation along the sides thereof to provide a central opening which allows thesliding cam plate to clear the bearing column as it is actuated along the slide channelled recesses with lateral reciprocating movement. The lateral edges of the slide cam plate have clearance indentations 54 disposed therealong whereby the cam plate will clear the two inner holding studs 44 extending upwardly between the inner frame and the housing,

The bridge plate I6 is adapted forv mounting adjacent and above the sliding cam plate and is preferably welded thereto by spot welds disposed along a'pair of bifurcated arms 56 registering with the rear bifurcated arms 53 of the slide cam plate. The bridge plate has an offset upper platform 5l j formed integrally with the rearwardly extending bifurcated arms 56 and parallel thereto, interconnection being by an oisetting rib member 53 of the :bifurcated arms disposed at right angles to the arms on the platform. A T-shaped pivot hole 59 is disposed centrally of the oiset upper platform for reception of a'suitable connecting member between the bridge plate and the cancel finger plate I'I.

l The cancel finger platel I'I is mounted directly below the bridge plate having a pivot hole 50 disposed centrally thereof for reception of a pivot rivet 6I 'adapted to allow pivotal movement vof the cancel finger plate relative to the bridge plate thereabout. A rearwardly and downwardly bent spring retainer projection 62 is provided on the cancel nger plate for` connection 'with the return spring 2I. The forward vend of the cancel nger plate is distinguished by a narrow arm 63 adapted for mounting of the cancel finger I8;

l theareasvof thel cancel'i'lnger plate adjacent the wheel acts' to cancel the-turning signal as will 'I9'when the turn indicator is in its presently appear herein'.- Asisseen in Figure 2,' the depending contact arms 64' 'are separated to lie vertically on either side of the upwardly'e'x ten'din'g 'camirolle'r 20 mounted on vthe cam arm neutral oper-4 ating position. The cam arm I9 comprisesza recadapted to project aci 1,842

tangular .metal finger having. two. right angle bends therein vfor adapting. the cam arm to extend vertically along the .outer-reentrant faceof the bearing column, across the upper edge of the end wall IH of the inner frame, and across the lower end of the bearing column 45, to forma lower mounting platform El having a suitable aperture therein for reception of mounting connection between the operating lever 23 and a mounting post 68 at the lower end of the bearing column. The mounting post 68 having a hexaganol upper head, is insertable througha suitable opening in the upper extending portion of the cam arm to be received and journalled in thecylindrical interior of the bearing column, as is seen clearly in Figure 1, to pivotally tie the cam arm to the bearing column. The cam roller 20 is mounted in a vertical upwardly projecting disposition at the inner end of the cam arm, and a slotted aperture 69 is disposed about midway of the upper portion of the cam arm for reception therein of the switch post member 55 of the directinal signal rswitch whereby lateral arcuate movement of thev cam arm in response to the directional movements of the operating lever will cause rectilinear lateral movement of the switch post. y

The cam roller 20 comprises a cylindrical rotatable collar l mounted on a rivet post 'il rigidly secured to the inner end of the cam roller arm by suitable upsetting ofv the ends thereof in a manner conventional in the art. In its mounted position on the cam roller arm", the cam roller 20 projects vertically up through the camming aperture of the slide plate and extends to a position below, but behind, the cancel nger I8, Lateral movement of the cam roller across the camming aperture disposed in the slide plate as pointed out before, causes responsive sliding movement of the sliding cam plate I and cancel finger plate l1, a more detailed description of which will appear herein under the use and operational description of the turn indicator. t

The cancel iinger IB,` as previously noted, is vertically mounted for rotational movement on the cancel nger plate I1, having connection with the return spring 2l by means of the depending spring retainer 62. The return spring is additionally mountedv to a return spring plate 22, located at the top of the bearing column 45 above the cam roller arm and mounted on the upper end of the mounting post E8. The return spring plate 22 is characterized as shownherein by an upwardly projecting spring retaining ear 13 at its rearward extremity; the ear having a `suitable opening therein for receiving one end of the spring 22 in a manner similar to its connection with the depending spring retainer of the cancel finger plate I1. vThe mounting post 53 is adapted to be received in a suitable opening in the return spring plate, the areas of the plate adjacent this opening being upwardly turned to form a pair of locking 'lugs 14 capable of enclosing two opposite sides of the hexagonal head of the mounting post 68 whereby that post is locked in its rotative position in bearing column 45. A downwardly turned positioning lug 15 is provided at the forward end of the spring retaining plate adapted to engage a suitable slotted aperture 16 formed adjacent thereto in the cam roller arm; whereby means is provided for locking the spring retaining plate in its position atop the cam roller arm.'

The operating lever 23 is shown herein as comprising a; .cylindrical shaft having. a iattened platform 18 vatgits inner end adapted forthe receipt of a suitablev mounting vscrew 1 9 therethrough; .;said screw.. .being capable off .insertion through the mounting platform-.of the-.operating lever and projectingupwardly into .the mounting post: disposed insideof the/bearing,columnl for threading.- engagement therewith. Means for maintaining. the .operating lever aits `.desired position relative tol the Acamroller armj I9 is;:.fpro.- vided, whereby in the neutral position ofthe turn indicator,v the lever extends substantially at-right angles to thefbackiwall 34 of..-.the-.housing, andjin line with the lcam roller arm. Such retaining means comprise apair ofdepending lockingears 80 contiguously formed asa continuationofgthe lower mounting platform ofthe cam `r arm ,1.9. These depending lugs lie adjacent to the-mount.- ing platform of the operating, lever to hold; tha,t lever in vertical alignment `withpthe .camyroller arm whereby the two are Aassured of responsive and identical movement withv one another, this type of connection making` the cam` roller arm substantially a rigid continuation inoffset relation'with. the operatingV lever. If desired, asuitable gripping knobl may be provided atthe outer end of the operatingy lever. to. facilitate manual operation of that lever. Y

As mentioned previously, the .mountingging is .adapted for mounting the turn indicator tothe Use and operation IThe use 'and operation .of vthe ,turn indicator as describedabove is' illustrated in a typical cycle by Figures 3 through 5, wherein it. 'will bearch:

served that Figure 3 represents. the fpositionia of the various linkages when the turnv indicator-:is pulled downwardlyl to indicate left.turn,f the desired mounting position of thenturn indicator being4 such that'it projects atright angles t0.- .the steering column from the left handside thereof. as viewed by the driver. .1 Depression ofthe turn indicator'lever-il3fcarries the cam roller 20 to a left turn cammingfdetent 82.formed integrally as a part of the cloverleaf shaped cammingaperture 52` .of the slidef'plate. Suchv a manual movement ofthe camerollergarm |9.to the position shown in vFigure 3, causes the slide plate, bridge plate andpivotal cancely plate to, be resiliently thrust to the right of4 their-Figure 5 position into an interfering positionfwhere.- by the cancelling linger is in interfering relation with the counterclockwise path ofmovement of the cams 25 depending from the steering-'wheel of the vehicle. lIn this position thereturnspring 2| is in an expanded tensioned conditionztending f to maintain the cancel nger plate at .a-position normal with the steering column of f the/vehicle. As the depending cams 25 are moved counterclockwise by the left turning motion of the steering wheel, they meet periodically ,the interfering cancel finger, but are allowed to overridethat finger due tothe resilient operation of the return spring l2 I- which permits swivelling of .the cancel ngersplate aboutgits` pivotrivetlsq thatgthe cancel nge'r peridically moves to the position shown by dotted lines in Figure 3 under the intermittent impulse of the cams 25. Upon clockwise rotation of the steering wheel, as viewed in Figure 4, it will be observed that the depending cams 25 contact the opposite face of the cancel finger tending to rotate the cancel nger plate counterclockwise about its pivot rivet GI. Such actuation of the cancel finger plate forces the nearest depending contact armv64 to disengage the cam roller from lthe left turn cam position by that arm-attempting to override the cam roller which causes further expanding of the return spring, which in turn, urges the slide plate to move toward the steering column. Upon disengagement of the cam roller with the left turn cam position, the'cam roller follows the camming surface of aperture 52 to a neutral central non-indicating cam position 83 whereby the linkage is returned to its neutral starting position as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. Manual elevation of the operating lever to indicate right turn causes a converse actuation of the linkages in the manner as described above, the cam roller engaging the right turn position detent 84 and being disengaged upon counterclockwise -rotation of the steering wheel as the steering wheel returns to a non-turning position upon completion of a right turn.

In accompaniment with the depression and elevation of the operating lever to indicate left or right turn as desired, it will be noted that the operating switch post 50 of'the directional signal switch, is moved correspondingly toits right o r left turn indicating position by the manual operation of the operating lever, thus providing a manual initiation of the turn indicating system with an automatic return to a neutral non-indicating position in response to returning motion of the steering wheel to a neutral straight flight condition. It shouldbe noted further that upon the actuation of the cancelling iinger causing the disengagement of the cam roller from its right or left turn position in thecam aperture 52, the return spring being in a tensioned state. acts to return the slide plate and accompanying linkage to the neutral and non-indicating position, where the cancelling finger is removed from interference with the path of movement of the depending cams 25`as they are moved in'a circular path by turning motion of the steering wheel.

It might also be pertinent to note that if the operating lever is manually initiated to a position whereby the signal switch is actuated to energize a turning signal circuit contrary to the turning motion of the motor vehicle, that is to say, if the automobile is turning left and the operating lever is lelevated to indicate right turning, automatic cancellation of the erroneous signal will occur by virtue of the depending cams contacting the cancellingxfinger with a. cancelling pressure in're' sponse to the initial turning movement of the steering wheel, the same as if the signal had been properly initiated and the steeringwheel was in the process of cancelling the signal by being returned to its neutral straight night position.

` It-is alsoV important to note that if perchance; the operating lever is manually held in opposition to the returning pressure of the return spring and the depending cams 25v have contacted` the cancelling nger to cancel the signal, no injury to the apparatus will occur.V This may be better understood by an Aillustration such as -is shown in Figures 3- through-L4,- vwherein.`the Loperating lever has been depressed to indicate left turn as shown in Figure 3. With the operating lever in the Figure 3 depressed condition and the steering wheel moving clockwise as indicated in Figure 4, whereby the depending cams have contacted the cancelling finger to remove the cam roller from the left turn cam position, as explained heretofore, automatic cancellation of the turning signal will normally ensue, unless the operating lever is being held down by some pressure such as the weight of the operators hand. Such a restraint of course, is contrary to the resilient tensioned force exerted by the return spring on the turn indicator linkage to result in cancellation of the turn indicator signal. If the linkage were rigidly interconnected, the above described situation would result in the depending cams forcing the cancelling iinger against the pressure exerted by the operators handv and would probably cause severe damage to the linkage, unless the restraining pressure were released. However, the cancel finger plate being swivelly mounted on its pivot rivet and restrained in its rotational movement only by the return spring, allows the contact arms to override the cam roller by sliding movement of the cancel finger plate and its pivot rivet along the T-shaped pivot hole 59. The cam roller however, will still be in engagement with the left hand turn cam position of the sliding cam plate, that is to say, it will be in the position shown in Figure 4, where it has not entirely been removed to the neutral Figure 5 position. In this described condition then, the depending contact arm 64 which under normal conditions would tend to force the cam roller out of the left hand turn cam depression 82, will have passed beyond the cam roller in rolling contact with the collar 10 thereon, and although the sliding cam plate may have moved forward so that the cam roller is in its Figure 4 position, the linkage and operating lever will not have returned to its neutral, normal, non-indicating position of Figure 5, due to the restraint exerted by the operators hand or the like. Return of the operating lever to Figure 5 position will, however, occur upon the removal of restraining force on that lever, due to the resilient returning pressure exerted by the return spring; the cancel finger plate snapping back to its normal position during the return of the operating lever to the Figure 5 position. Note, that if the operating handle 23 is held iirmly in indicating position until the pivot rivet 6l enters a lateral detent in the T-shaped hole 59 and the restraining force then removed, the cancel ringerplate will return to Figure 3 position when the. steering wheel cam 25 passes the cancelling iinger I8.

Thus, it may be seen that we have provided a new and improved turn indicator apparatus adaptable for selective installation on automotive vehicles or the likeand capable of manual initiation at the will of the operator to indicate either right or left hand turning motion of the automobile. Additionally, certain safety devices for preventing damage to the indicator have been embodied, comprising the ability of the turn indicator to automatically cancel a false turning signal and its ability to withstand an abnormal restraining pressure of the operating lever contraposed to the automatic return feature of the indicator in response to returning motion ofthe steering wheel to a straight level flight position.

While we have herein shown one preferred embodiment in which our invention may appear, it will be readily understood that the use ofequivaa lents', #substitution of vmaterials,and 'various changes and-modifications may be madewithout departing `from Ithefspirit' fand principles hereof, and therefore,l we do lnot wish to be limited to the specific embodiment herein illustrated except as may 'otherwise appear inthe 'following appended claims.

We claim:

1. `A mechanical turn indicator apparatus for use in automotive vehicles or the like, comprising incombi'nation, an outer housing mounting said apparatus, a-lm'ounting ring extending through saidhousing'for connecting the apparatus to the vehicles Steeringfcolumn, a unitary inner frame insertabl'yl mounted within said housing, an operating lever pivotally connected at one end to said' inner: frame and extending outwardlyl of said'housingfor arcuate manipulation, a cam rollrarm mountedy to the inner end of said lever and'arcuately movable therewith, said arm having an oblong opening formed therein, a directional signal switch positioned"` below vsaid arm and-having a rectilinearly movable operating post extending into theoblong opening in vsaid arm whereby arcuate movement of said arm causes responsive rectilinear motion of said post to actuate said switch, a vcam 4roller rotatably mounted at`the inner end of 'said arm and extending upwardly therefrom,l a`- cam platef slidably mounted above said armandr having a cam opening with threepositional'detents formed therein, said cam roller extending into saidv cam opening for rolling engagement with said positional detentsthereof, and a spring member biasing said cam plate toward said roller thereby to resiliently engage the same with said cam openingfs positional detents whereby arcuate manipulation of said lever causes said roller to move along said cam opening and rectilinearly move said cam plate against the bias of said spring'with the successive engagement of said roller with each of the positional detents serving 'resiliently to hold said switch in 'aspreselccted operating condition.

2. 'A detachable turn indicating apparatus adapted for readyinstallation on automotive vehicles or the like, comprising a'unitary inner frame, an'operating lever pivotally `mounted to one end of saidframe, a'cam roller arm rigidly joined ytotsaid ylever and pivotally lmounted to said frame bypivotalconn'ection common with said lever; whereby'said lever and arm have a common vertical" pivotal axis, a vertical cam rollerdisposed'at the opposite end of said arm from its juncture Iwith said lever, a directional signal switch` disposedv below said arm and mounted in saidvfi'arn'e, said switch' having a vertical switch operating post projecting upwardly therefrom to beV received 'in a suitable oblong aperture formed in said overhanging cam roller arm to thereby vform 'an operative connection withsaid armwhereby said postvisjrectilinearly moved in response tofarcuat'e movement of said armand lever,l a sliding cam plate disposed above saidarm and adapted forv reciprocal sliding movement along suitable channelledurecesses.

formed-along opposite upper-edgesof said frame, said plate having a cam opening,distinguished by three positional detents,ffor1ned therein adapted to receivesaidi'cam roller wherebysaid plate will be actuated along said `channelledrecesses yinre` sponseg'to-,farcuate movement'cfv said operating lever; cam roller varm and cam roller with ,said` tions according to the selected positional engage-- menttherewith of said roller. n

-3. A detachable turn indicating apparatus for installation on the steering column of an autor motive vehicle or the like, comprising ari-.inner frame characterized by a'hollowed-out-interior and a yvertically disposed bearing column posi, tioned on one end walll thereof, an operating: lever pivotally connected to one end of the bear-c ingcolumn, aA cam roller arm pivoi'allymounted` to the both ends of said bearing column and rigidly joined to said lever whereby said arm will move in an arcuate path about'said column in response to yarcuate movement `of saidlever, ',both, said arm and lever moving about their `common pivotal axis in the same circular directiomsaid arm `overhanging the hollowed-,out interior of?- said frame and said l'everextending exteriorlvfrom said frames end wall; aturn indicating sig'- switch having a vertically extending switch op=v erating post projecting from its upperv fwail'; adapted 'to be received in an oblong opening; formed in said arm, whereby lsaidy switch, post` will move rectilinearly toenergize selected,di ,V rectional turn indicating signal circuits in fre-f sponse to manual arcuate actuation of said'ggopf; erating lever; a slidingy cam plate positionedi above said arm and said switch and adaptedfQr sliding movement along a pair of channelledireaf cesses formed along opposite upper edges offthe side walls of said rframe, and a cam `opeit'lng formed in said plate adapted for the reception; therein of a cam roller mountedon saidgrcarnr` roller arm whereby said roller arcuately will-be moved along the contour of said camopening ,to`l` slidingly move said plate to-ward said vehicles. steering column in responseto said manualinia tiatingarcuate movement of said operatingleven; said cam opening also having two laterally spacedE detents formed in its contour adapted to jrnainr tain said cam roller arm at the extremes ,-oflitsl arcuate path of` travel along said opening rfror holding said switch in signal energizing condition. 1,V

4. -In a `directional turn indicator apparatus, for indicating turning movements of -anfautomotive vehiclefor thelike, a hollow-unitarylinner, frame, an outer housing adaptedto,receivefsaid frame within yits "hollow interior, la directionaly turn indicating signal switch, for selectively eueregizing right and left turn indicating electricaly circuits, mounted v within vsaid inner` frame, "a rectilinearly rmovable operating post mounted to operate said switch; a sliding cam plate-disposedbetween the upper .lateral edges of saidiirame,I a cam roller arm disposedlbetween saidswitchf and said plate and having anoblong openingffor receiving said operating post,.said arm being 'fpiv-f otally mounted to a rear end wall of said-.frame wherebysaidoperating post is rectilinearly moved,- in response to arcuate movement'of said-army'aI rotatable cam roller disposed at the V inner end ,ofi said arm and Vprojecting vertically upwardly therefrom to be received .by a lcam v'apertureformed vin said cam plate, said aperture Ahaving one. central and two lateral detente formed in its. contour whereby Y movement of said `roller 1 into,v

engagementr with. either of saidv lateral dete'nts` causes said cam plate toslidetoward said steering columnfor holding saidarm inza .positionwhere-z` in vsaid .switch is in i a 1- circuit energizing fcond-i:

tion; a bridge plate rigidly mounted to and slidable with said sliding cam plate, said bridge plate being characterized by an overhanging upper platform; a cancel iinger plate swivelly mounted to said bridge plate and adapted for arcuate movement about a vertical pivotal axis, and a resilient spring associated with said cancel linger plate for resiliently opposing the sliding movement of said sliding cam plate and cancel iinger plate toward the steering column of said vehicle and for limiting the arcuate swing of said finger plate.

' 5. In a directional turn indicator apparatus adapted to be mounted to the steering column of and automotive vehicle or the like, an outer housing for enclosing said apparatus, a unitary inner frame insertable in said housing, a sliding cam plate adapted to oscillate with sliding movement along a pair of recessed channels-formed along opposite upper lateral edges of said frame, the movement of said plate being toward and away from said steering column; a cam roller adapted to engage a camming aperture having three separated positional detents formed in said sliding cam plate; engagement of said roller with either of two of said detents serving to slide said cam plate toward said steering column, a cam roller arm associated with said cam roller mounted below said sliding cam plate and pivotally movable about a iixed pivot point on said inner frame; said arm moving said roller arcuately along said cam aperture into one of said three detents as desired, a directional signal switch disposed below said arm and in sliding operative engagement therewith, said switch being operatively responsive to arcuate actuating movement of said arm to energize right and left turn indicating signal lights, a cancel finger plate` swivelly suspended above said sliding cam plate and laterally movable therewith, a resilient return spring interconnecting said cancel iinger plate with said frame, a cancel nger rotatably mounted on said cancel finger plate adapted to beperiodically contacted by a plurality of depending cams associated with the steering wheel of said vehicle; said cancel linger moving into an interfering position with a circular path of movement of said depending cams upon movement of said sliding 'cam plate towards said steering column'; contact of said depending cams with said ng'er, While said cams are moving in one direction, serving to disengage said roller from either one of said -two detents whereby said spring resiliently urges said sliding plate away from said steering column.

6. 'In a direction signal turn indicator apparatus adapted to be mounted to a steering column of an automotive vehicle, a unitary inner frame adapted to be enclosed by an outer unitary housing, ya sliding cam plate mountable on said frame adapted to be moved toward and away from said steering column, a manually operated actuatinglever' pivotally connected to said inner frame and protruding exteriorly of said housing, a cam roller arm secured in an offset parallel relation to said lever as a rigid extension thereof, a directional turn indicator switch rectilinearly actuated in .response to said manual arcuate actuation of said operating lever and arm for energizing selected right or left turn visual signals, connective means between said cam roller arm and said sliding cam plate comprising a three-step cam aperture formed in said cam plate and a rotatable cam Aroller .mounted on said cam roller arm and adaptedto engage either one of two of said cam '15. in response to said manipulation of said lever; a.

steps for slidingly actuating said cam plate'tof ward said steering column during actuation of said switch by said lever and arm toindicate turning movement of said vehicle, a cancel linger plate swivelly mounted above and slidingly movable with said sliding cam plate adapted to interfere with a circular path of movement of a plurality of depending cams associated with the steering wheel of said vehicle; said cancel nger bypassing said depending cams by resilient swivelling movement of said cancel nger plate during turning rotation of said steering wheel in an according sense with the turning direction indicated by said switch, and depending bifurcated arms associated with saidcancel finger plate adapted to disengage said cam roller from its selected turn indicating cammed position in said cam aperture during returning rotation of said steering wheel in a direction opposite to said turning direction indicated by said switch to thereby cancel said signal circuit being energized through said switch.

'7. In a turn indicator adapted for mounting on the steering column of an automotive vehicle or the like, an outer housing adapted to be mounted to said steering column at right angles thereto, a unitary inner frame mountable within said housing, an operating lever pivotally mountable to said frame and adapted to project through said housing for convenience of manual manipulation, a directional signal switch operatively controlling right and left turn indicating visual signalling devices associated with said vehicle, said switch adapted to be initiated to closed circuit position in response to arcuate movement of said operating lever; a cam roller arm rigidly connected to said lever and extending within said housing as an offset continuation thereof, a sliding cam plate mounted on said inner frame for sliding reciprocation along a path normal to the axis of said steering column, said cam plate being characterized by a camming aperture formed therein distinguished by a camming proiile having two turn indicating and one neutral nonturning offset steps therein; a cam roller projecting upwardly from said cam roller arm through said camming aperture and adapted for rolling movement along said camming prole thereof, said camming aperture and roller acting to hold said operating lever, associated cam roller arm, and turn indicating switch in turn indicating position subsequent to manual initiation of said roller to one of said turn indicating steps, and said camming aperture and roller also acting to control said sliding movement of said cam plate toward said steering column during movement of said roller to one of said turn indicating steps; and a resilient return spring associated with said sliding cam plate for holding said camming aperture in resilient close contact with the surface of said cam roller and additionally adapted to oppose said sliding movement of said sliding cam plate toward said steering column.

8. In a directional turn indicator apparatus adapted to be removably installed on the steering column of an automobile or the like for use with an electrical visual turn signal installation in said automobile, a, manually actuated operating lever, a direction turn signal switch associated with said lever, a cam roller arm, arcuately movable in response to arcuate movement of said lever, extending between said lever and said switch whereby said switch may be selectively actuated to energize a desired turn signal circuit sliding cam plate adapted for reciprocal sliding movement along a path normal to the axis of said steering column, a cam roller mounted on said cam roller arm adapted to engage a pair of turn indicating cam steps in a suitable camming aperture formed in said cam plate whereby said plate Will be moved towards said steering column when said roller is moved to either of said cam steps in response to initiation of said operating lever, a bridge plate rigidly mounted to said cam plate and reciprocally movable therewith, a pivotally mounted cancel nger plate secured to said bridge plate, resilient spring means associated with said cancel nger plate for resiliently restraining the rotatiional movement of said cancel finger plate and said sliding movement of said cam plate; a pair of depending arms formed on the inner end of said cancel finger plate adapted to contact said cam roller, and a rotatable cancel finger mounted on said cancel nger plate adjacent said steering column and extending in a vertical direction opposite to said depending arms adapted to interfere with the path of movement of a plurality of depending cams associated with the steering wheel of said automobile upon completion of said movement of said cam plate to- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,947,681 Stow Feb. 20, 1934 2,073,141 Chaney Mar. 9, 1937 2,276,413 Moore Mar. 17, 1942 2,308,108 Roedding Jan. 12, 1943 2,427,595 Fuller Sept. 16, 1947 2,542,242 Fuller Feb. 20, 1951 

